I 


COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM.  N.  C. 


PRESENTED  BY 

W.  W.  FLOWERS 


A 

PASTORAL  LETTER 

ADDRESSED  TO  THE  DIOCESfi 

JVORTH-C  AROLIIVA ; 

February  4tli,  1S3S(. 

HT  TBI 

RT.  REV,  LEVI  SILLmAIV  IVES,  D.  P, 
Bishop  of  the  MHocese^ 


RALEIGH: 

PTINTED   BY  J.  OALBS  &  SON. 


To  the  Clergy  of  the 

MPiocese  of  JMrnrth-CtirolUuB: 

Rev.  &  Dear  Brethren, 

My  convictions  of  th6 
importance  to  our  Diocese,  of  a  more  earnest  spi* 
rit  and  efficient  plan  of  Charity,  have  constrained 
nie  to  address  to  our  Congregations  the  following 
Letter.  The  views  contained  in  ifc^  I  doubt  not, 
will  secure  your  active  concurrence. 

I  have  omitted  to  do  more  than  give  the  bare 
principles  of  a  plan  of  doing  good,  in  the  belief, 
that  its  details  might  be  more  appositely  arranged 
by  yourselves,  in  your  several  Parishes. 

Requesting,  that  on  some  suitable  occasion  of 
Public  Worship,  you  will  read  this  Letter  to  your 
Congregations,  and  adopt  such  measures  in  regard 
to  it,  as  by  you,  may  be  deemed  proper  to  carry 
its  principles  into  effect,  I  commend  you  to  that 
God,  loithout  whom  nothing  is  strong j  nothing  is 
holy,  and  ivho  has  taught  us^  that  all  our  doings 
without  Charity  are  nothing  tvorth. 

Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ> 

LEVI  ^iLLiin[Ai\  ivm. 


P2  3^/f  a  V- 


4 


To  the  Congregations  of  the 


Diocese  of  JV orth-Carolina : 
Dear  Brethren, 

As  the  state  of  my  health  obli- 
ges toe  to  lessen  my  active  labors,  during  the  pre- 
sent season,  I  have  felt  it  to  be  my  duty,  in  the 
hope  of  strengthening  among  you  the  cause  of 
Christ,  to  address  you  on  the  important  subject  of 
doing  good, 

A  Christian  man  ought  not  to  be  supposed  in 
ignorance  upon  such  a  subject;  still  the  human 
heart  lies  open  to  so  many  delusions,  and  upon 
the  very  simplest  matters  of  duty,  that  it  would  not 
be  altogether  surprizing  to  find,  upon  due  exami- 
nation, that  here  too  there  was  much  to  lament 
and  rectify. 

I  have  long  been  convinced,  that  the  Gospel  du- 
ty of  doing  good  is  much  less  known  and  practiced, 
than  the  imposing  and  multiplied  schemes  of  mo- 
dern benevolence  would  seem  to  indicate.  Not 
that  our  day  is  wanting  in  appeals  to  Christian 
sympathy,  or  in  the  bestowing  of  liberal  gifts.  In 
truth,  it  is  the  era  of  such  appeals  ;  and  seldom  are 
Ihey  made  without  effect.  But  the  very  existence  and 
frequency  and  necessity  of  so  much  importunate 
solicitation,  furnishes,  to  my  mind,  a  startling  evi- 
dence of  some  great  deficiency  in  the  proper  sjpirit 


and  habit  of  doing  good. 


5 


Dught  it  to  be  belieVcd  of  redeemed  sinners, 
that  theii-  sympathy  for  the  destitute  is  to  be  en- 
kindled, and  their  offerings  obtained,  only  by  some 
earnest  appeal,  or  some  extraordinary  exhibition 
of  human  misery  ?  Is  this  according  to  tlie  Chris- 
tian rule  P  Is  it  what  might  reasonably  be  expec- 
ted from  tbose,  wlio  are  pressed  to  every  good 
work  by  the  infinite  mercies  of  God  in  Christ? 

My  dear  brethren,  let  us  examine  (his  matter. 

God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only 
begotten  son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.'' — 
Here  is  the  basis  of  Christian  duty  ;  particularly 
the  duty  of  doing  good  to  our  fellow-men.  It  is 
enforced  with  admirable  simplicity  by  the  Apos- 
tle JoHX  : — Beloved,  if  God  so  loved  us,  we 
ought  also  to  love  one  another.*'  What  heart,  that 
knows  any  thing  of  the  love  of  Christ,  can  resist 
an  obligation  urged  upon  such  grounds  ! 

But  there  is  a  command,  touching  this  mattet ; 
a  new  command — one  of  peculiar  sanctions — utter- 
ed by  Him,  who  purchased  the  right  by  his  blood 
to  exact  our  compliance.  "  This  is  my  command- 
ment,''  says  the  Son  of  God,  that  ye  love  one 
another,  as  I  have  loved  ynu.^'  And  now,  how  did 
he  love  us  ?  Where  has  he  furnished  an  expres  • 
sion  of  his  love  ? 

Whose  heart  has  not  melted,  in  view  of  the  toils 
and  hardships,  the  prayers  and  sufferings,  the  hu- 
miliation and  death  of  the  man  of  sorrows  I  And 

P  2  yi4.t  Lf- 


yet  these  are  to  be  the  measure  of  our  love  to  one 
another^  even,  if  necessary,  to  the  last.  "  Herein 
perceive  wc  the  love  of  God,  because  he  laid  down 
liis  life  for  U3  ;  and  ive  ought  to  lay  down  our  lives 
for  the  brethren, This  is  indeed  strong  language, 
and  may  be  regarded  in  a  degree  iigurative  ;  still 
it  sets  forth,  with  an  emphasis  truly  appaling  to 
the  indolent  and  selfish,  our  duty  to  our  brother — 
the  truth,  that  no  man  liveth  unto  himself- — that 
ice  are  not  our  own — but,  that  having  been  bought 
ivlth  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  we  are  under  the 
heaviest  obligation  to  glorify  him,  by  carrying 
forward,  to  the  very  extent  of  our  power,  that  work 
of  benevolence  among  men  Vviiich  he  so  signally 
commenced.  In  short,  the  expression  is  meant  to 
inculcate,  in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  our  duty 
as  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord,  to  those  who  need  our 
advice,  our  prayers,  our  alms,  and  self-sacratices  ; 
and  also  to  show  the  spirit  in  which  that  duty  is  to 
he  discharged:  that  we  should  possess  the  ??2f/zf^ 
that  teas  in  Christ  Jesus — cherish  within  us  some- 
thing of  that  heavenly  zeal,  Avhich  brought  our 
Saviour  to  this  miserable  world,  animated  him  as 
he  ivent  about  doing  good,  and  prompted  him  to  pay 
^^ith  his  own  blood,  the  price  of  our  redemption 
from  woe. 

In  view  of  truth  like  this,  and  who  does  not  see 
tliat  it  is  the  ti^ith  of  God,  what  are  u^e  autliorized 
to  expect  from  the  man,  who  is  blest  v>'ith  a  know- 
ledge of  atonement  by  the  death  of  Christ  ?  Arc 


7 


we  to  consider  him  al  liberty  io  couccntrale  Ins 
thoughts  and  elForts  upon  his  own  soul  and  body; 
to  wrap  himself  up  in  the  narrow  covering  of  his 
private  concerns,  and  to  shut  from  his  mind  the  in- 
terests of  the  Church  of  God  and  the  well  being  of 
his  dying  race,  except  as  lie  may  l)c  forced  to  think 
of  them,  by  some  direct  and  j^tirring  application  ? 
That  tliesc  topics  are  to  be  left  to  the  few,  wliose 
piety  may  have  gotten  the  better  of  their  avarice, 
or  whose  office  may  comi)el  them  to  be  occupied 
about  holy  things?  Or  ^«ave  we  not  here  brought 
fo  view,  a  principle  of  action  for  every  Ciiristian 
man  ?  ^1  sjnrit  of  dolns;  good  to  others,  that  should 
spring  up  in  every  heart,  so  soon  as  the  heart  is  ca- 
pable of  perceiving  its  obligations  to  Christ,  and 
should  pervade  every  desire,  design,  and  action  of 
the  life,  while  that  life  shall  last. 

The  work  of  Christian  benevolence  then,  is  the 
work  of  every  individual^  and  of  every  day.  Instead 
of  the  enquiry— when  will  these  calls  upon  me 
cease?'' — the  sinner,//??'  ivlioni  Christ  died,  may 
be  expected  daily  and  anxiously  in  search  of  ways, 
in  wliich  to  manifest  liis  gratitude  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  God\s  mercy,  and  to  make  some  return  in 
acts  of  kindness  and  charity  to  his  destitute  fellow 
men  ;  to  be  meditating  how  he  may  increase  his 
earnings,  or  lessen  liis  expenditures,  that  he  may 
have  to  give  to  him  that  needeth,  or  to  lay  hy  him  in 
store,  on  the  first  day  of  the  iveek,  as  God  hath 
prospered  him,  that,  when  the  claim  of  the  neces- 
sitous is  presented,  he  may  be  a]>le-io  nieet  it. 


This  you  will  say,  perhaps^  k  expecting  of  you 
a  great  deal.  But  is  it  morej  my  brethren^  than 
your  own  reason  tells  you  is  right?  Every  hon- 
ourable feeling  within  you  prompts  the  payment  of 
your  just  debts  to  your  fellows-man.  But  do  you 
owe  nothing  to  your  God?  Did  he  not  give  you 
life^  and  all  that  makes  life  a  blessing  ?  And 
when  you  rebelled  against  his  just  authority,  and 
sold  yourselves  to  the  miserable  servitude  of  Satan 
and  the  world,  did  He  not  give  his  only  son  for 
your  ransom?  For  all  this  are  you  not  his  debt- 
ors ;  and  to  an  amount,  which  you  can  as  little 
conceive,  as  pay  ?  But  He  has  condescended  to 
receive  your  poor  services  ;  to  look  upon  your 
deeds  of  charity  to  your  needy  brethren,  as  if 
done  to  himself. 

Who,  then,  will  contend  that  the  demands  up- 
on his  bounty  are  not  reasonable  and  light  ?  And 
who  will  not  confess,  that  he  ought  to  be  making 
daily  provision  to  meet  them  ? 

This  view  of  the  subject,  while  it  shows  how 
far  we  have  wandered  from  the  Apostolic  rule, 
exhibits  tlie  strongest  motive  for  our  immediate 
return  to  it,  in  the  adoption,  each  one  for  him-  , 
self,  of  a  plan  of  systematic  charity.  I 

But  before  presenting  such  a  plan,  I  must  show  I 
you  still  more  clearly  its  necessity.  The  princi- 
ple of  doing  good  for  Christ^ s  sake,  may  be  readi- 
ly admitted  ;  w  hile  an  habitual  charity,  as  neces- 
sary to  ji  proper  action  upon  tlie  principle,  may 
perhaps  be  questioned. 


9 


1,  Observe,  in  the  first  pLace,  that  we  are  look- 
ed upon  in  the  Grospel,  as  stewards  ;  as  being  en- 
trusted with  the  means  of  grace  and  salvation  for 
the  needy. 

The  parable  of  the  ten  talents  furnishes  no  slight 
confirmation  of  this  view,  and-  one  can  hardly  con-^ 
ceive,  how  the  lesson  taught  in  that  parable  can  ba 
acted  upon,  without  a  constant  reference  to  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  in  ourplaas  and  employments. 
Were  we  to  conunit  to  a  steward,  some  important 
worldly  trust,  we  should  hardly  be  satisfied  with 
any  thing  short  of  his  c^iV/ attention  to  it.  Only 
au  occasional  thought  about  it,  or  effort  in  its  be- 
half,  would  be  regarded  by  us,  as  a  virtual  aban- 
donment of  his  duty.  So  our  Saviour  seems  to, 
judge  in  the  matter,  when  he  says — He  that  lo* 
veth  father  or  mother,  wife  or  children,  more  than, 
me,  is  not  loorthy  of  me.  Yea,  he  that  for saketh 
not  all  that  he  hath  cannot  be  my  disciple.'^  In 
which,  a  supreme  regard  to  the  things  of  Christy 
is  clearly  and  solemnly  demanded  of  us  in  all  that 
we  Aesign  or  do.  So  engrossed  must  we  be  in  pro- 
moting his  honour,in  the  salvation  of  men,  that  na 
blow  could  affect  us  so  deeply  as  that  which  should, 
destroy  or  interrupt  our  spiritual  work. 

Beloved  brethren,  we  think  too  seldom  and  too 
lightly,  upon  the  fearful  position  we  occupy  in  this 
world  of  sin  and  death.  To  be  co-workers  with 
God,  fellow-labourers  with  Apostles  and  Martyrs^ 
in  destroying  the  ivories  of  the  Devil  f  involves  a  res- 

2 


161 


ponsibility  too  tremendous  to  estimate,  and  too  en- 
grossing to  admit  of  any  endeavors  to  meet  it,  short 
of  our  best  energies  both  of  mind  and  body. 

But  add  to  this,  the  strong  motive  to  future 
constancy  in  doing  good,  arising  from  a  conviction 
of  the  evil  we  have  already  done.  No  moment  of 
our  lives  has  found  us  exempt  from  an  infinite 
obligation  to  act  for  Christ  and  the  good  of  men. — ^- 
But,  as  we  cast  an  eye  back  upon  our  past  exist- 
ence, are  not  the  best  of  us  constrained  to  confess, 
that  hitherto  we  have  done  but  little  to  efface  the 
dark  and  ruinous  impression  of  our  own  bad  deeds? 
What  Christian,  with  any  just  view  of  the  value 
of  an  immortal  soul,  can  conceive  the  possibility 
that  his  own  past  conduct  may  have  jeopardized 
the  salvation  of  a  single  sinner — perhaps  hindered 
it  for  ever — and  not  be  eager  to  pass  every  future 
hour  of  his  sojourning  here,  in  doing  good  to  others; 
that  so  far  as  possible,  he  may  redeem  the  time]  may 
bring  honour  to  that  Saviour,  whom  he  hath  cru- 
cified afresh,  and  repair  the  injury  occasioned  by 
his  own  misdoings. 

Thus,  our  relation  both  to  God  and  our  fellow 
men,  as  stewards  of  the  means  of  grace,  calls  upon 
us  to  be  faithful.  But  how  fidelity  can  be  made 
to  comport  with  inconstant  and  negligent  habits 
of  Charity,  it  is  impossible  to  conceive. 

And  here,  no  one  can  plead  exemption.  The 
poorest,  in  a  Christian  land,  if  they  have  strength 
to  labour,  are  expected  to  do  something  for  the 


cause  of  Christ.  The  man  with  the  one  talent,  it 
was  found,  had  no  move  right  to  neglect  his  Lord^s 
money,  than  the  man  w  ho  had  been  entrusted  with 
ten  times  the  amount.  God  hath  said,  he  will  re- 
quire of  us  at  last^  according  to  what  a  man  hath. 
The  widow's  mite  was  accepted,  and  she  held  up 
as  an  example  to  the  poor  of  all  generations. 

It  is  a  duty  then,  incumbent  upon  every  one  of 
us,  to  lay  by  him  in  store,  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  as  God  hath  prospered  hitn/^ 

2.  In  perfect  agreement  with  this  Apostolic  di- 
rection, is  the  tenor  of  all  the  Apostolic  writings. 

We  are  exhorted,  to  let  our  love  abound  more  and 
more  ;  not  to  he  weary  in  well  doing  ;  to  let  all 
things  be  done  ivith  Charity  ;  as  we  have  opportuni- 
ty y  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  especially  unto  them  who 
are  of  the  household  of  Faith  ;  to  seek  riot  our  own 
merely,  hut  also  another^ s  good  ;  for  Charity  seek- 
eth  not  her  own  ;  not  to  for  get  to  do  good  and  to  com- 
muniiate.for  with  such  sacrafices  God  is  well  plea- 
sed. And  the  Ministers  of  Christ  are  commanded 
to  exhort  the  rich  in  this  world,  that  they  do  goody 
that  they  he  rich  in  good  ivorks  ;  and  all  persons, 
that  they  give,  as  God  hath  prospered  than  ;  and  to 
present  as  a  motive,  that  ivhatever  good  thing  any 
man  doeth,  the  same  shall  he  receive  of  the  Lord, 
whether  he  be  bond  or  free. 

Is  it  possible  for  us,  beloved  brethren,  to  com- 
ply with  these  admonitions,  or  to  be  actuated  in  a- 
ny  proper  degree,  by  their  spirit,  except,  as  we 


give  to  .the  duty  of  Cliristian  benevolence,  a  con- 
trolling sway  in  our  daily  concerns  ? 

3.  The  practice  of  systematic  charity  may  be  ur- 
ged on  the  further  ground  of  its  necessity,  to  the 
steady  and  efficient  support  of  our  Christian  Insti- 
tutions. 

We  are  much  oftener  entertained  with  splendid 
accounts  of  good  reported  to  hare  been  done,  than  we 
are  blessed  with  -an  actual  view  of  the  good  itself. 
The  story  of  our  deeds  of  love  is  trumpeted  far 
and  wide.  But,  after  all,  what  real  claim  have  we 
to  the  credit  of  discharging  toward  others,  even  the 
ordinary  duties  of  Christian  men  ?  In  sight,  as  it 
were,  of  our  own  dwellings,  how  much  moral  de- 
gradation and  ruin  is  suffered  to  pass,  without  an 
anxiety  or  an  effort  on  our  part,  to  give  relief.  And 
in  this  land  of  blessings,  how  far  is  a  knowledge 
of  the  truth  from  keeping  pace  with  the  march  of 
our  increasing  population  ?  While  the  means  of 
propagating  error,and  deepening  delusion,  are  mul- 
tiplying almost  beyond  conception.  *  And  not- 
withstanding our  present  efforts  are  so  dispropor- 

*  The  spiritual  state  pf  the  great  valley  of  the  Missis)>lppi 
alone,  presents  a  most  lamentable  proof  of  what  is  here  affirm- 
ed. Wild  fanaticism  and  Jesuitical  imposture  seem  to  be  stri- 
ving for  the  mastery  in  spreading  darkness  and  disorder  thro' 
that  most  interesting  country.  See  the  statements  of  Bishops 
McIlvaine,  Otey  and  Smith.  See  also  an  able  Sermon, 
'*on  the  Signs  of  the  Times,"  by  the  Rev.  John  McVickar, 
•D.  D.  Professor  of  Moral  and  Intellectual  Philosophy  and  Po- 
litical CEconomy,  in  Columbia  College,  New- York. 


13 


iionei  to  the  wants  of  the  tlestitute,  and  to  our  actual 
ability,  still  observe,  with  what  apparent  difficul- 
ty these  efforts  are  kept  up!  Agencies,  Charity 
Sermons,  Newspaper  appeals,  with  numberless 
other  expedients,  are  resorted  to,  to  keep  alive  this 
feeble  interest,  and  to  draw  forth  this  reluctant 
bounty  in  behalf  of  the  needy*  ^- 

This  state  of  things  is  not  so  much  owing  to  a 
positive  indisposition  to  give,  as  it  is  t&  bad  habits 
in  giving.  The  Christian  community,  through 
improper  training,  has  become  callous  to  ordinary  | 
tnotives  ;  seems  to  have  lost  the  power,  as  it  Avere, 
^0  do  good,except  on  an  extended  scale,  and  at  some 
earnest  and  extraordinary  call.  The  consequence 
is,  the  bulk  of  Christians  really  suppose,  they 
have  no  permanent,  every- day  concern,  in  the  works 
of  Charity.  One  goes  to  Ms  farm,  another  to  his 
merchandize-,  and  all  suffer  their  minds  to  become 
wholly  engrossed  in  the  cold  speculations  of  self 
interest ;  all  seek  their  own  and  not  the  things  which 
are  Jesus  Chrisfs.  No  w  onder,  tlierefore>  that  the 
common  representations  of  human  misery  should 
seem  to  them  like  idle  tales  ;  and  that  the  task,  of  a- 
Bousing  them  to  benevolent  action,  should  daily  be- 
come more  difficult. 

Now,  before  any  important  impression  can  be 
made  upon  error,  or  any  thing  like  an  adequate 

*  See  the  last  Missionary  Record,"  and  our  Religious  Pe- 
riodicals generally,  on  the  state  of  the  Treasury  of  the  Domes- 
tic and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  in  the  United  States. 


11 


provision  be  runiLsiuHl  for  those  in  want^  this  evil 
must  be  corrected.  Each  individual  Christian  must 
awake  from  his  apathy^  and  put  forth  his  energies  ; 
and  he  must  continue  to  do  so^  as  a  part  of  his  dai- 
ly labour,  till  his  energies  arc  palsied  in  death. 
No  irregular  and  disjointed  efforts,  however  zeal- 
ous for  the  time,  will  give  proper  stability  and  ef- 
fect to  any  Christian  enterprize.  But  let  the  friends 
of  Christ  arise  as  one  man^  and  move  forward  in 
this  holy  cause,  with  a  steady  and  determined  step, 
and  however  slow  may  be  their  progress,  their  ul- 
timate success  is  certain.  And  this,  in  a  country 
like  ours,  where  the  Church  of  Christ  has  no  large 
endowments  upon  Avhich  to  depend,  is  peculiarly 
essential. 

My  dear  brethren,  I  am  aware  that  your  means 
are  limited  ;  but  if  each  Episcopalian  Avould  act 
conscientiously  upon  the  principle  of  fet.  Paul, 
and  laij  hij  in  store  on  the  Jirsi  daij  of  the  iveeJc,  as 
God  hath  prospered  him,  we  should  be  able  to  sus- 
tain every  Christian  enterprize  within  our  Diocese  ; 
and  have  something  to  spare,  in  aid  of  the  general 
objects  of  the  Church. 

One  can  hardly  conceive,  who  has  not  entered 
upon  the  calculation,  what  large  sums  might,  in 
this  w'ay,  be  brought  into  the  Treasury  of  the 
Lord;  with  no  other  effect  upon  the  giver,  than 
to  insure  to  him  t])e  delightful  consciousness  of 
doing  goody  and  the  gracious  benediction  of 
heaven. 


15 


4.  There  are  additional  reasons,  however, 
which  enforce  the  practice  I  would  liere  recom- 
mend. 

This  conscientious  appropriation  of  something 
daily,  or  iveeJcly  to  the  works  of  charity,  is  the 
only  method  of  giving,  which  will  ensure  a  nwll 
directed  lib er edit y , 

How  often  does  it  happen,  on  the  present  plan 
of  irregular  contribution,  that  a  man  of  benevolent 
feelings,  after  a  long  inattention  to  the  wants  of 
the  destitute,  becomes  suddenly  awakened  to  his 
duty,  and,  as  if  to  make  up  for.  past  deficiencies, 
is  induced  to  give  to  some  comparatively  minor 
claim  with  so  liberal  a  hand,  as  to  leave  him  little 
or  nothing  to  bestow  upon  more  important  objects. 
Under  this  system,  or  rather  absence  of  all  sys- 
tem, charity  becomes  the  creature  of  mere  whim, 
subject  to  all  the  fluctuations  of  individual  sympa- 
thy ;  and  hence  is  liable  to  be  perverted  to  the 
most  frivolous,  if  not  injurious  purposes  ;  while, 
upon  the  principle  here  urged,  it  will  be  under 
the  control  both  of  a  lively  sensibility,  and  of  an 
enlightened  judgment.  For,  the  habit  of  giving 
systematically  J  not  only  keeps  alive  the  sympa- 
thies, and  calls  for  an  habitual  exercise  of  the  un- 
derstanding of  the  person  who  gives  ;  but  also  se- 
cures to  the  distribution  of  our  charities  the  best 
experience  and  wisdom  of  the  Church;  and  where 
these  are  permitted  to  advise,  little  can  be  appre- 
hended from  an  indiscriminate  and  ill-judged  lib- 
erality. 


5.  Again.  To  be  engaged  habiiiially  fbv  the 
good  of  otbers,  affords  the  best  security  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  our  personal  welfare.  Had  we  no- 
thing to  strive  for,  but  au  earthly  inheritance,  this, 
would  be  true.  The  needful  good  things  of  time 
are,  by  divine  promise^  to  he  added  to  him  who 
steks  first or  s.upremelij,  "  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven.^' Neither  is  this  promise  a  mere  matter  of 
revelation  ;  tliou&ands  have  experienced  its  truth. 
It  is  verified  almost  daily  before  our  eyes.  Who 
has  not  remarked  that  the  truly  benevolent  man^, 
is  blessed  in  his  basket  and  in  hi^  store.  That 
the  liberal  soulis,  in  truth,  made  fat.  But  this  is 
not  what  the  child  of  a  heavenly  Father^  chiefly 
desires.  His  treasure  is  above  ;  and  there  are  his 
supreme  affections.  It  is  that  treasure  Avhich  he 
longs  to  see  increased ;  and  it  is  in  reference  to  that 
principally,  that  I  would  press  upon  your  regard, 
the  practice  in  question.  It  will  furnish  one  of  the 
most  effectual  safe-guards,  in  this  world  of  temp- 
tation. Let  the  feet  of  the  Christian  be  once  firm- 
ly fixed  in  those  paths  of  benevolence,  which  the 
Saviour  trod  ;  let  his  heart  be  lifted  above  the  gro- 
velling desires  of  mere  self-love,  by  the  divine  tem- 
per of  doing  good  ;  let  it  be  his  daily  prayer,  car- 
ried ou,t  into  his  daily  action,  that  his  guilty  race 
may  become  reconciled  to  God,  through  faith  iii, 
liis  crucified  son,  and  where  is  the  insinuating  ar- 
tifice, that  can  entice  him  into  the  way  of  sinners i 
that  way,  Avhich,  at  every  step,  nins  counter  to  eve-  ^ 
ry  human  2;ood ! 


17 


In  the  prosperous  career  of  business,  the  heart 
of  the  Christian  lies  open,  on  every  side,  to  the 
incursions  of  evil.  Pride^  covetousness,  and 
pleasure,  take  advantage  of  each  unguarded  mo- 
ment to  insinuate  themselves  into  his  affections: 
And  they  are  too  often,  and  too  fatally  successful. 
Their  progress  is  so  silent  as  seldom  to  awaken 
suspicion  of  danger,  till  ruin  is  hard  at  hand. — 
Now  from  these  so  common  foes,  the  good  man 
may  find  protection  in  the  habitual  practice  of 
charity:  and  protection  of  the  most  effectual  kind,, 
as  it  shuts  out  the  evil,  by  pre-occupying  the  mind 
with  good.  A  daily  contemplation  of  the  miseries, 
of  his  fellowmen,  while  it  checks  the  engrossing 
passion  of  avarice,  and  dissipates  the  bland  seduc^ 
tions  of  pleasure,  will  at  the  same  time,  suggest  too 
many  humiliating  considerations  to  allow  of  any 
other  sentiment,  than  compassion  for  the  needy,, 
and  gratitude  to  God  for  his  own  distinguishing 
blessings.  This  will  help  too,  to  settle  many 
a  perplexing  query  about  worldly  amusements. — ^ 
It  will  often  save  the  christian  the  trouble  of  ex- 
amination into  the  lawfulness  or  unlawfulness-  of 
an  indulgence,  by  engaging  his  sympathies  so. 
strongly  for  the  unfortunate,  as  to  make  him  feel 
that  he  has  neither  time  nor  substance  to  squander,^ 
while  so  much  spiritual  suffering  is  still  unreliev-. 
ed.  Thus  the  sphere  of  doing  good,  he  finds  most 
congenial  to  his  growth  in  grace.* 

*  Here  I  might  have  added,  the  good  effect  of  systematic  chari- 
ty in  i^romoiuv^fnirgality.  Habits  of  wastefulness  &  negligence 
S 


18 


Aud  here,  the  thought  may  not  be  irrelevant, 
that  this  practice  of  Charity  is  to  outlast  all  other 
employments,  except  j^raise  to  God  and  the  lamh. 
Mutual  offices  of  kindness,  errands  of  disinteres- 
ted love,  are,  without  doubt,  to  occupy  a  large 
space  in  the  fair  field  of  our  labours  above.  While 
all  secular  employments  will  cease  with  the  wants 
of  the  dying  body,  and  a;ll  cares  for  the  soul  be  re- 
mitted, when  the  soul  shall  have  bepn  saved,  the 
spirit  of  heaven-born  Ch?a*ity  will  still  survive,  to 
animate  the  breasts  of  the  redeemed,  and  lead  them 
on  forever,  in  the  delightful  work  of  doing  good. 

Surely  it  will  make  us  better,  to  cultivate  a  tem- 
per and  a  habit  now,  which  are  to  be  identified 
with  our  immortal  nature ! 


are  often  caused,  -or  very  much  strengthened,  b^?  not  having  an 
engrossing  object  before  the  mind,  upon  which  to  bestow  those 
fruits  of  our  labour,  not  called  for  by  our  own  necessities.  But 
let  us  be  daily  reminded,  by  daily  acts  of  Charity,  of  the  just 
claims,  which  the  destitute  have  upon  us,  and  we  shall  be  a- 
roused  to  the  importance  of  husbanding  our  means,  of  aug- 
jnenting  them  in  every  proper  way,  and  of  checking  all  lavish 
expenditure. 

And  in  how  many  cases,  God  only  knows,  this  habit  of  do- 
ing good,  might  be  the  instrument  of  saving  our  children  from  . 
a  ruinous  prodigality. 

God  has  mercifully  adapted  the  duties  of  life,  to  the  reme- 
dying ot  its  evils:  made  charity  to  our  neighbour  an  eflBcient 
and  essential  means  of  securing  and  advancing  our  own  hap-^j 
piuess. 


19 


6.  Finally,  by  divine  appointment,  we  are  daily 
to  pray — thy  kingdom  come.  Our  practice  should 
correspond  with  our  prayers  ;  for  upon  that  prac- 
tice, as  the  means,  depends  their  fulfilment.  Af- 
ter having  laid,  by  the  immediate  exercise  of  his 
Almighty  poAver,  the  foundation  of  his  Church,  our 
Lord  committed  the  diffusion  of  its  blessings  thro- 
out  the  earth,  to  those,  who  first  enjoy  them  5  but 
not  till  he  had  given  the  admonition,  without  me  ye 
can  do  nothing.  Here  then,  an  indissoluble  con- 
nexion is  made  to  subsist,  between  our  prayers  and 
charitable  exertions.  Hence,  it  is  vt  orse  than  use- 
less, it  is  mockery^  to  utter  the  daily  petition,  thy 
kingdom  come;  while  the  efforts  put  forth  for  its 
fulfilment,  are  languid  and  inconstant.  The  heart 
cannot  expand  with  the  w  arm  emotions  of  univer- 
sal love,  while  the  bands  are  busied  in  minister- 
ing only  to  personal  gratification.  True,  we  must 
pray,  and  pray  daily  ;  but  for  God's  blessing  on 
our  daily  exertions.  1  need  not  add,  that  no  or- 
dinary motive  is  here  furnished  to  systematic  cha- 
rity. For  tliis,  and  this  alone,  Avill  infuse  into 
the  mind  that  constant  and  healthy  stimulant,  ne- 
cessary to  dispose  it  to  heavenly  aspirations,  and 
to  keep  it  active  and  in  earnest  upon  the  great 
topics  of  Christian  philanthropy. 

These,  beloved  brethren,  are  some  of  the  lead- 
ing motives,  for  the  adoption  of  a  system  in  doing 
good,  calculated  to  influence  every  mind.  But 
there  are  considerations,  connected  with  the  state 


of  our  DiocesCj  which  give  to  these  motives,  addi- 
tional weight  with  ourselves. 

Our  necessities  are  many— our  pecuniary  ahility 
is  small ;  and  the  means  we  have  put  in  operation, 
so  essential  to  our  well-being,  as  a  Church,  require 
much  ^^nursing  care/^  to  bring  them  to  a  vigorous 
maturity.  The  question,  which,  under  these  cir- 
cumstances, demands  from  each  one  of  us  a  prompt 
and  serious  answer,  is — how  can  w«  collect  and 
put  forth  our  strength,  with  the  leastburden  to  our- 
selves, and  the  greatest  amount  of  good  to  our  fel- 
low men  ?'*  As  the  person,  sustaming  the  high- 
est responsibility,  and  to  whom  you  have  a  right 
to  look  for  direction  in  this  matter,  I  reply  : 

In  the  first  place,  each  one  of  us  must  do  what 
he  can  ;  must  feel  that  he  has  a  jpersonal  interest 
in  the  thing  ;— that  he  will  be  called  to  account  at 
last,  for  precisely  the  number  of  talents  entrusted 
to  him  by  his  divine  master.  And  believe  me,  bre- 
thren, there  is  not  a  man,  woman  or  child,  in  our 
Church,  who  may  not  do  something  to  advance  the 
holy  cause.  Most  can  give— all  can  pray.  But 
in  order  to  ajfford  an  opportunity  to  each  one,  to 
give  according  to  his  means,  some  system  of 

Church  offerings,''  must  be  introduced. 

The  plan  hitherto  pursued,  of  making  occasion^ 
al  collections  or  subscriptions,  invariably  throws 
the  burdens  of  Charity,  if  burdens  they  may  ht 
called,  upon  a  few  individuals.  Many  who  might 
contribute  their  mite,  are  by  this  means,  induced, 


SI 

from  a  fooUsli  pride,  to  give  notliing,  because  they 
cannot  give  much.  Bat  suppose  the  practice  were 
to  become  general  in  our  Episcopal  families^  of 
•laying  aside  something  weekly,  no  matter  how 
small  the  amount^  as  an  ^^oifering"  to  the  Church; 
and  where  is  there  an  individual,  so  poor,  or  so 
young,  as  not  to  be  disposed  to  devote  a  little  to 
Christ,  in  return  for  his  infinite  love  ?  And  thi^i 
mode  would  have  the  double  advantage  of  helping 
the  needy,  and  blessing  ourselves.  The  compara- 
tively poor,  while  saving  a  penny  for  the  still  more 
necessitous,  would  learn  a  lesson  of  contentment. 
The  children  of  prosperous  parents  would  be  taught 
to  know  and  feel,  tliat  tjicre  are  ohildren  born  to 
adversity— in  want  of  the  means  of  comfort,  of  in- 
struction and  of  salvation  ;  and  i a  this  way,  their 
young  hearts  would  soon  learn  to  sympathize  with 
the  unfortu^nate,  and  become  anxious  to  sacrafice 
some  of  the  little,  needless  luxuries  of  life,  to  re- 
lieve them.  And  ^hat  could  be  more  gratifying 
to  a  Christian  Parent,  than  to  see  the  earliest 
thoughts  of  his  infant  offspring  engrossed  in  laying 
up  something  for  the  benefit  of  the  needy  !  And 
^vhat  more  encouraging  evidence^could  we  have,  of 
the  improving  state  of  our  corrupt  world,  than  to 
observe  a  general  inclination  and  diligence  among 
all  degrees  of  men  in  the  Church,  to  diffuse  the 
blessings  of  Christ's  kingdom  !  Adopt  then,  dear 
brethren,  the  counsel  of  St.  Paul,  and  7^?^  everyone 
of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  on  the  first  day  of  the 


•39 


iceek',  as  God  hath  prosjiered  him  ;  and  your  eyes 
shall  be  blessed  with  beholdiug  the  happy  fruits  of 
beiitivolence  iu  your  families  and  neighborhoods, 
and  the  prosperous  state  of  the  Church  in  our  Di- 
ocese. 

2.  In  the  second  place,  to  act  effectually,  we 
must  act  in  concert 

Those  small  and  scattered  efforts,  whicli  put 
forth  singly  would  be  entirely  lost^  when  brought 
together,  present  a  moral  force  hardly  to  be  resis- 
ted. My  brethren,  those  pennies,  which,  because 
they  are  pennies,  you  either  do  not  give,  or  send- 
ing them  out  alone,  you  give  to  little  purpose,  if 
collected  and  cast  as  an  offering  into  the  Treasury 
of  the  Lord,  w  ould  enable  us  to  carry  into  full  ef- 
fect those  schemes  of  good,  so  near  our  hearts,  and 
so  identiiled  with  the  prosperity  of  our  Church. 
Let  us  test  the  soundness  of  this  remark  by  actual 
estimn.tc. 

At  our  last  Convention,  the  number  of  Commu- 
nicants reported,  was  1080.  Add  to  this,  for  cliil- 
dren  old  enough  to  give,  and  for  adults  who  have 
not  communed  1500,  which  is  below  the  fact, and  we 
have  2580*  Now  of  this  number,  500  at  least  would 
experience  no  burden,  in  appropriating  to  charitable 
uses  too  cents  a  day— making  an  annual  amount 
of  S3, 650.  Another  500  might  give  one  cent  a  day 
— making  S  1,825  more.  The  remainder  might  give 
at  least  one  cent  a  iceek — making  the  further  sum 
of  S82 1,60— producing  an  aggregate  of  S 6,296  60. 


Small  as  may  be  our  resources,  this  amount  I  am 
clearly  convinced^  might  be  more  easily  raised,  on 
the  plan  I  propose,  than  the  reduced  sum  of  about 
Si, 500,  wliich  is  usually  contributed;  besides  ma- 
king us  a  much  happier,  holier,  and  more  prospe- 
rous people. 

In  thus  estimatina:  your  ability,  I  have  not  for- 
gotten  the  efforts  you  are  called  upon  to  make  for 
your  own  parishes.  In  reference  to  these  efforts, 
however,  you  ought  to  remember,  tliat  you  are  more 
than  remunerated,  in  the  accession  which  they  bring 
to  your  daily  enjoyments.  You  must  beware,  lest 
your  reward  be  only  that  of  the  persons  in  our  Sa^- 
viour's  time,  lohogave,  exjjectiiig  to  receive  as  much 
again.  Whatever  you  may  do,  to  increase  your 
own  spiritual  advantages,  you  should  bear  in  mind, 
is  not  done  to  help  the  needy  ;  neitlier  without  the 
expectation  of  an  earthly  reward.  It  is  true,  we 
are  to  love  ourselves  no  less  than  our  fellow-men; 
and  hence,  to  make  provision  fur  our  own  wants  ♦ 
but  we  must  take  care  how  we  transfer,  in  our 
minds,  the  benefits  designed  for  ourselves,  to  tlie 
account  of  charity  to  our  neighbour.  This  mistake 
is  not  an  uncommon  one,  and  requires  of  us  much 
candour  and  impartiality  of  judgment,  wholly  to 
avoid  it. 

Neither  has  it  escaped  me,  beloved  brethren,  that 
many  of  you  belong  to  parishes  w  ithout  adequate 
resources  in  themselves,  to  sustain  the  ministrations 
of  the  Gospel.    I5ut  I  have  regarded  this  very 


fact,  as  an  additional  inducement  to  adopt  the  plani 
I  have  suggested  ;  and  for  tivo  reasons.  The  one, 
that  in  this  way,  you  could  do  much  more  for  your- 
selves, tlian  in  the  ordinary  way.  The  other,  that, 
by  entering  heartily,  with  your  more  favored  bre- 
thren, into  such  a  plan,  a  holy  sympathy  would  be 
excited  in  your  behalf,  that  would  most  effectually 
secuve  to  you  the  privileges  of  the  Gospel.  He 
that  watereth,  shall  he  watered  himself.  Let  it 
be  seen,  that  a  people  are  alive  to  the  great  inter- 
ests of  Christ's  kingdom,  by  doing  all  in  their  pow- 
er to  advance  it,  and  they  may  rest  assured,  they 
will  not  be  suffered  to  want.  Let  then,  the  few 
Episcopal  families,  in  our  Missionary  stations,  re- 
solve that  henceforth,  each  individual  of  them  wiU 
lay  hj  him,  something,  each  iveek,  to  be  deposited 
monthly,  or  oftener,  in  the  liands  of  the  Church,* 
and  I  am  confident,  they  will  have  reason  to  bless 
God,  for  an  important  increase  of  their  spiritual 
?i,dvantages. 

And  let  me  entreat  each  of  the  Parishes  in  my 
Diocese,  to  meditate  seriously,  and  prayerfully  up- 
on this  subject,  af  constant  systemcktic  Charity* 
Under  the  strong  cQnvictions  of  duty,  I  have  thus, 
called  your  attention  to  it.  What  I  have  said,  is. 
the  result  of  much  and  prayerful  deliberation.  The 
ylan,  I  have  long  contemplated,  as  one  most  like-- 

Let  these  weekly  ofrenngs*'be  entrusted  to  the  Mission- 
ary, or  soiriG  other  suitable  person,  to  be  forwarded  to  John 
\V..  ^Y»IGH;T,,  Esq..  Fayetteviile,  Treasurer  of  the  Couvention^ 


ly  to  revive  in  the  Church,  the  primitive  spirit^  fts 
it  accords  with  the  primitive  practice,  of  doing 
good.  And  now,  I  have  the  gratification  of  present^ 
ing  it  to  you,  brethren,  not  as  an  untried  expedi- 
ent, but  as  a  thing  well  tested  and  approved. 

My  excellent  brother,  the  Bishop  of  New  Jer- 
sey, who  comes  behind  in  no  gift,  has  carried  the 
principle  here  enforced,  fully  into  practice,  and 
experienced  from  its  operation,  for  the  last  two 
years,  the  most  desirable  results. 

Beloved  brethren,  follow  this  example  :  or  rath- 
er follow  your  duty  to  Him  who  died  to  save  you. 
''For  ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christy 
that  though  he  Was  richy  yet  for  your  sakes  he  he- 
came  poor,  that  ye  through  his  poi^erty  might  be 
made  rich.^^  Act  under  the  influence  of  this  truth. 
On  the  first  Uay  of  the  week,  the  blessed  light  of 
which  so  clearly  discloses  the  riches  of  divine  love^ 
in  a  crucified  and  risen  Saviour,  let  each  one  of  you 
lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  hath  prospered  him  ;  set 
apart  a  certain  amount,  according  as  God  hath 
given  him  ability,  to  be  sacredly  devoted  as  an 
^^offering''  to  the  Church:^  and  should  we  be  spar- 
ed by  a  merciful  providence  to  meet  again  in  Con- 
vention, we  shall  rejoice  together  in  view  of  our 
well-sustained  Missionary  operations,  the  cheer- 

*See  a  beautiful  paraphrase  of  the  Apostolic  direction,  1 
Cor.  xvi.  2.  in  the  '*  Postscript"  to  Bishop  Doane's  last  Ad- 
dress to  his  Convention, 


36 

ing  promisic  of  our  Episcopal  School,  our  enlarg- 
ed ability  to  aid  the  general  institutions  of  the 
Church,  and  of  an  increase  among  us,  of  personal 
interest  in  the  blessings  of  the  Covenant  of  Re- 
demption. 

That  you  will  do  this,  my  experience  of  your 
past  desire  to  do  good,  does  not  permit  me  to 
doubt : — that  you  may  do  it,  under  the  constrain- 
ingpower  of  Chrisfs  love,  as  faithful  members  of 
Ms  mystical  body,  the  Church,  I  shall  not  cease  to 
make  my  humble  petitions  unto  ALMIGHTY 
6rOD,  our  heavenly  Father, 
Most  truly, 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

and  brother  in  the  Lord, 

LEVI  JSILLOIAiX  IVJES 
Balrigh,  February  12,  1835. 


